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Monthly Archives: October 2017

#CPChatNow had a lively chat as always this past Wednesday. Members talked about changing job duties, football teams letting teens with CP score, and whether intended good deeds are necessary and appreciated. I am your Co-Host, Devin Axtman, and I will be taking you along on the ride for this week’s recap. Buckle up!

We’ll start this recap with Chris discussing her feelings surrounding changing job duties and the disability accommodation process at work:

Next, talk turned to a recent story out of New Jersey where a 7th grader with CP scored a touchdown when the other team kneeled. Zach and Timmy both bemoaned the other team’s lack of effort:

However, Zach and I also brought up Reese’s feelings in the matter:

Finally, talk turned to helpful good deeds that people think they are doing related to your CP, but that are actually patronizing and harmful. Zach started the conversation by recalling a story about someone repeatedly asking if he was alright while walking:

Zach and I discussed people pushing me in my wheelchair without me asking, something that happens frequently:

Omens discussed frustration regarding being escorted to the school office due to dizziness and feeling her wishes were not totally respected.

This brings us to our Extend-The-Conversation Question: What are some not helpful things people do to help with your CP? Please share your answers in the comments.

#CPChatNow remained abuzz Wednesday, October 18th, 2017 when retired clinical neuroscientist and author Dr. Karen Pape joined the Twitter chat. I am co-host Zachary Fenell, who regrettably forgot to ask the doctor about a cure for tardiness. Thankfully her insights prove timeless. So let us move forward with a recap.

The night’s theme involved Dr. Pape’s findings that a brain can recover, but habit often hides said fact. Thus no matter your age, you stand “never too late to change in life.” A concept Dr. Pape details in her Winnipeg Tedx Talk.

Ironically, you could argue Dr. Pape embodied the focus chat’s title through participating in #CPChatNow. She shared she previously never partook in a Twitter chat.

Hannah Pike and many others expressed their gratitude towards Dr. Pape joining us. Soon the conversation spurred off into multiple directions. Participants, both new to #CPChatNow and our regulars, asked the doctor their questions. Linds asked Dr. Pape to give an overview regarding what the doctor does.

Happy to oblige, Dr. Pape summarized her bio and credentials as follows.

Compressing her impressive resume down to fit in one tweet Dr. Pape mentioned she retired from her clinical neuroscientist work and wrote a book, The Boy Who Could Run but Not Walk. Additionally Dr. Pape expressed her motivation, to make people more optimistic.

Hopefully throughout the night participants found optimism within Dr. Pape’s responses. She certainly provided practical feedback. For instance, take an issue raised while Hannah and I discussed Dr. Pape’s Tedx Talk.

Those who keep up with me personally know I am actively walking 5ks and even recently a full marathon! Yet Dr. Pape’s Tedx Talk left me wondering if I could do more. Perhaps I could actually run! Dr. Pape advised a couple options to get started.

Dr. Pape suggested I walk backwards along a wall or try running on a treadmill. She also encouraged Hannah to get dancing. Your turn to add to the conversation! Answer for the extend-the-conversation question, “What is something you always wanted to do?”

Leave your response in the “Comments” section. Maybe your response will stimulate further dialogue. Just like how Dr. Pape’s answers led to follow-up questions and further chatter!

In responding to Susanne’s question Dr. Pape made an often overlooked point. Health care in general involves seeing an eye doctor. Susanne explained her question, noting many people with CP she knows deal with visual impairment. I chimed in, mentioning a statistic I read saying at least three-fourths in the cerebral palsy population face vision issues. A statistic I came across researching a blog post, “Kindle Fire Accessibility for Reading Books.” Dr. Pape challenged my statistic, emphasizing the general health aspect to vision.

Around 9:30pm Dr. Pape needed to bid adieu. After thanking Dr. Pape for her time and insights, participants enjoyed some free chat time. Susanne raised an important topic worth highlighting here.

While missing in the above screen shot, Susanne explained a #MeToo post encourages sexual assault victims to speak out and tell their stories. A topic unfortunately linked to our community since people with disabilities can end up more vulnerable to such assaults.

Although the subject seemed important to incorporate into the week’s recap, let us not end on such a heavy note. Instead remember to answer the extend-the-conversation question.

“What is something you always wanted to do?”

Your response should entail a task currently difficult to you due to your cerebral palsy. Leave those below.

Celebratory vibes pulsed through the live cerebral palsy Twitter chat #CPChatNow Wednesday, October 11th, 2017. I am co-host Zachary Fenelland I am here to recap the congratulatory messages and laughter. Admittedly the night failed to start on an uplifting note. Participants remained emotionally drained from difficult weeks. They hoped others possessed better moods. A hope I could fulfill.

Finishing the Towpath Marathon’s entire 26.2-mile course the previous Sunday (October 8th, 2017) left me entering the chat still maintaining positive momentum. The congratulations given by the #CPChatNow community continued the cheerful feedback I received since October 8th. Many people knew my story heading into the marathon due to a news article published in Cleveland’s The Plain Dealer.

Particularly Devin wondered what I ate and if I took any breaks. Enough marathon talk nonetheless! We discussed other subjects too! In fact I announced our October focus chat guest. One #CPChatNow co-founder and original co-host Handicap This!piped up to call a “great get.”

Current co-host Jorge Oteiza played a vital role in scheduling the Dr. Karen Pape focus chat. Dr. Pape possesses an incredible reputation as a groundbreaking and innovating clinical neuroscientist. We excitedly welcome her to #CPChatNow.

While groundbreaking and innovating work in the medical field stands important, do not forget the basics. The cliche “laughter is the best medicine” comes to mind. Laughter’s value emerged a hot topic Wednesday, October 11th.

Like Susanne states, laughter emits much positive energy. Perhaps you rely on a certain joke to get you laughing amidst rough times. Tell us that joke by answering the week’s extend-the-conversation question.

This past week was an exciting week in #CPChatNow as Zach welcomed a nephew, #CPChatNow welcomed new members, and members discussed using a cane and stretching. This is #CPChatNow Co-Host, Devin Axtman, taking you along on this week’s recap.

However, in a bit of Breaking News outside of the chat, our #CPChatNow Co-Host, Zachary Fenell, finished his marathon on Sunday. Kudos to Zach for following a dream and having the courage to see it through!

Also, congratulations are in order to Zach as he welcomed a nephew last week:

Blemi, Hannah, and Zach discussed the independence and confidence that regular use of a cane can bring:

#CPChatNow welcomed a new member this week as Chandler Gobin joined the chat. She discussed wanting to do a 5k with Zach and Zach discussed his preparation including regular exercises, training, and range of motion.

Chandler and Rachel discussed spasms that Chandler has been experiencing. Rachel offered advice of checking her IT band and hip flexors while joking she should get a medical and therapy degree with all of her PT and OT

Rachel’s Tweet brings us to our Extend-The-Conversation Question: What “awards” do you feel you should win from having CP? My award? The Straightest Legs in My Youth Gymnastics Class (I couldn’t bend them).

Another month in the live cerebral palsy Twitter chat #CPChatNow’s history came to a close Wednesday, September 27th, 2017. I am original #CPChatNow co-founder and current co-host Zachary Fenell, here with highlights for all. You know what I am talking about, recap time!

Regular Hannah Pike noted forgetting the month signifies a long month. I jokingly theorized the mix-up related to cerebral palsy awareness initiatives. The United States acknowledges March as CP Awareness Month. Meanwhile an international awareness initiative, World CP Day, remains days away!

A short while later another name from CPChatNow’s past re-surfaced.

Kate found time in her busy nursing school schedule to check in with us at #CPChatNow. Devin expressed admiration towards Kate’s desire to go into nursing. The course load proves challenging in general, let alone with the additional obstacles cerebral palsy may cause.

Potential cerebral palsy caused obstacles also came up regarding interacting with children. Recently becoming an uncle, I possessed curiosity about others with nieces or nephews and how CP impacts their abilities as an aunt or uncle.

The stories Jocelyn shared about her niece and nephew displayed children’s willingness to learn and their thoughtfulness. Maybe you hold insights helpful to the subject. Keep the conversation going then!

Answer for the week’s extend-the-conversation question, “Have you found cerebral palsy hinders your ability to be an aunt or uncle at all?”